Urban farming way to offset cost of living
Published on: Monday, September 29, 2014
LABUAN: Anecdotal evidence shows individuals earning less than RM1,500 a month spend more than 90 per cent of their income on food. The problem is more acute in Labuan as its cost of living in among the highest in the country.More than 96 food items on the island have been identified as dearer than in other parts of the country. This is due to its dependence on imports from Sabah.
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The high demand for land by the booming oil and gas (O&G) industry has shrunk commercial farming. Member of Parliament Datuk Rozman Datuk Isli said urban farming is the option that should be considered seriously."The only way we can reduce our expenses on food is to grow our own vegetables, fruits and herbs. Hard-pressed for space and time should not be an excuse…we have to find ways and means to take up the challenge. We can plant and grow on pots," he said, when launching the "Jom Bertani" under the urban farming progamme.The MP had also set up the Labuan Agriculture Development Planning Council to complement the efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry.
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Urban farming is a new trend to help the urban poor to meet the rising costs of food. The Prime Minister had directed the setting up of a special Urban Agriculture Division. According to its Director Mohd Yunus Ismail, it was part of the restructuring of the Agriculture Department, which consisted of planning and development of the programme.
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"The objective is to produce own food for daily needs to reduce the cost of living. At the same time, it enhances the landscape in the residential areas, schools, offices and institutions," Yunus said.Depending on the space available and unique conditions, the concept would be applied to edible landscaping, community farming and kitchen gardening, mini fertigation, vertical agriculture, including commercial farming and downstream activities as part of the National Agro Food policy, he explained.This year, the Labuan Agriculture Department had targeted 380 participants from housing estates, quarters, government departments and schools, including private offices.Among the programmes implemented were at the MPL Rukun Tetangga Centre in collaboration with the National Unity and Integration Department and with the Labuan Correctional Centre. At the same time, it also involved the Labuan Adventist Centre in Kg Lajau."Through the initiative of the Labuan Agriculture Department, we have seen many residents in housing estates growing serai, kunyit, vegetables and chillies in their compounds for their own consumption," said iMohamad Taufik Johari, head of Labuan Agriculture.Meanwhile, the Ministry of Domestic Trade is also working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry to resolve the high cost of food in Labuan.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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